Largest Yellow Perch Farm Now In Production

by
Ellen Hardy

18 April 2008, at 1:00a.m.

INDIANA - Bell Aquaculture says it will have product ready to market by this time next year. It has begun operation at what is dubbed the nation's largest yellow perch (Perca flavescens) farm at Albany, Indiana.

President and COO Michael Miller said the fish is destined for the restaurant trade and will be on the market by this time next year. Following that, the company will focus on the consumer market

"The greatest difficulty for restaurants has been the availability of yellow perch out of Lake Michigan and Lake Erie - the two predominant lakes for the supply of wild-caught yellow perch," said Mr Miller. he says that restaurants that were typically serving customers who enjoy the taste of yellow perch, cannot get the supply, so there is a real gap in the market for the farmed species.

Bells investment is said to be the world's largest yellow perch production enterprise.